Page 112 of The Keeper of the Kingdoms

“They aren’t just going to give them to you. They are the only ones left in existence.” Jaxus scrubbed a hand over his face.

“Well, we have to try,” she said adamantly. “Let’s go find Gran.”

“Leaving so soon?” Gran asked when we burst into her kitchen moments later.

“How did you know?” Kiera asked, stunned.

“I know many things, child. You will too when you get to be my age.”

I shook my head. I thought maybe I would never understand some of her abilities, and I was sure she liked it that way.

“You found something?” she prompted.

Kiera looked at me, then back to Gran. “Maybe,” she hedged. “There is a second jar. We think they are intended to go together in some way.”

“And where is this other jar?”

She looked at her fingers. “I don’t know, but I think Jaxus might,” she admitted.

“I see,” Gran turned her gaze on me expectantly and my chest tightened, so I remained tight lipped.

“Nothing to say, dragon?”

“I can’t,” I managed, but it caused me pain to push the oath to that point.

“He’s going to take me somewhere I think might hold theanswers, but we need the Lepid jar from the seed rooms to take with us in case we can locate the other part.”

Gran took in her words and looked me over. “You don’t ask for much, do you?”

I pressed my lips together. It was torture not to converse freely.

“Will they let us take it?” Kiera urged.

“Absolutely not. No chance in all the realms. Not without Dragon over here explaining himself fully, and they probably still won’t trust a flyer.” She gave me a look. “You know the council.”

I slammed my fist down on the table in frustration. Immediately regretting the outburst.

Kiera scowled at me disapprovingly.

“Cranky,” Gran muttered.

“I cannot explain,” I said again. It was all I could offer and even that was seriously testing my boundaries.

Gran put her spectacle up to her eye. “Indeed,” she agreed after inspecting me. “And I wouldn’t try if I were you.”

A look passed between us. It was deeper than words. I nodded in understanding, and then Gran did as well. She knew I was sworn. She could see it in my struggle and she wouldn’t press further.

“What?” Kiera asked both of us.

“I’ll just go swipe it for you.” Gran shoved to her feet, stealing our attention.

“You’re kidding?” Kiera blurted.

“Who’s going to stop an old female who’s a pillar of the community?”

FORTY-THREE

KIERA